Well tools



May 21, 1963 J. H. BOSTOCK WELL TOOLS Filed Nov. 3, 1958 Fig.5

l Si/Mk u INVENTOR James H. Bosfock Mag/W ATTORNEY ware Filed Nov. 3, 1958, Ser. No. 771,282 23 Claims. (Cl. 166-224) This invention relates to well tools and more particularly to a pressure responsive flow control device for controlling the flow of fluids through a flow conductor, such as a well tubing.

An object of the invention is to provide a new and improved control device for use in a well flow conductor which is responsive to the fluid pressure within the flow conductor for controlling flow of fluids therethrough.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control dew'ce adapted for use in a well flow conductor which has means arranged to be actuated by the pressure of the fluids in the well conductor to automatically shut oil flow through the conductor when the pressure of the fluids flowing through the flow conductor drops below a predetermined value.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a control device adapted to be positioned or secured in a flow conductor to shut oti flow of fluids through such well conductor when the pressure of the fluids therein drops below a predetermined value and which thereafter can be opened again to permit flow by an external means inserted into the flow conductor.

A further object is to provide a control device for controlling the flow of well fluids through a flow conductor wherein the well fluids are directed through a movable valve element which is biased towards a closed position and which is moved to an open position by the pressure of the well fluids in the flow conductor.

A still further object of the invention is to provide, in a device of the character described, means including a resilient member for resisting movement of the valve element toward open position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide an improved device for controlling the flow of well fluids through a flow conductor wherein the well fluids are directed through a flow passage in a movable valve element which includes means biasing the valve element toward a closed position wherein flow of fluids through the valve element is prevented and having means exposed to the pressure of the well fluids when the valve element is in an open position whereby the pressure of the fluids flowing through the valve element tends to keep the valve element in an open position against the force of the biasing means as long as the pressure thereof does not drop below a predetermined value.

Another object is to provide a control device for controlling the flow of well fluids through a well conductor wherein the means for holding the valve element in an open position to permit flow of well fluids through the flow conductor is removed from the influence of the pressure of the well fluids when the valve element moves to a closed position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a control device for controlling the flow of well fluids through a flow conductor wherein externally operable pressure equalizing means are provided for subjecting the means which move the flow conductor to an open position to the pressure of the well fluids in the flow conductor when the valve element is in its closed position.

Still another object of the invention is to provide a flow control device adapted for use in a well flow conductor which has a valve element biased towards the closed position by a pressurized gas charge and which BJlQflAB Patented May 21, 1863 2 is movable to an open position by the pressure of well fluids.

A further object of the invention is to provide a control device adapted for use in the well flow conductor having a movable valve element provided with a flow passage through which the fluids flow when the valve element is in a lower open position in a housing, said housing having a chamber for receiving a pressurized charge of compressible gas, the valve element being provided with a piston member exposed to the pressure of the charge which tends to move the valve element to an upper closed position.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a control device wherein the piston member is also exposed, when the valve element is in an open position, to the pressure of the fluids of the well flow conductor which tend to hold the valve element in an open position against the forces exerted by the charge in the chamber.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a flow control device wherein the piston member of the valve element is removed from exposure to the pressure of the well fluids when the valve element is moved to a closed position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a control device adapted for use in a well flow conductor for controlling the flow of well fluids therethrough which is removably positionable in the well flow conductor.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from a reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the upper portion of a control device constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a view partly in elevation and partly in section of the lower portion of the control device shown in FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 3 is a view, partly in elevation and partly in section of an anchoring and sealing member located in a well flow conductor which supports the control device illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2.

Referring now to the drawing, the control device 10 for controlling the flow of well fluids through a flow conductor, such as the well tubing 12, includes an outer tubular member 13 which comprises an upper sub 14, a sleeve 15 threaded on the lower reduced end of the upper sub, a connector sub 16 whose upper reduced portion 17 is threaded in the lower end of the sleeve and a tubular skirt 18 threaded on the reduced lower portion 19 of the connector sub 16. An equalizing sub 20 may be connected to the upper end of the upper sub 14 by an externally threaded reduced portion 21 thereof which is threaded in the enlarged upper bore of the upper sub 14.

It will thus be apparent that the outer tubular member 13 is composed of the upper sub 14, the outer tubular sleeve 15, the connector sub 16 and the tubular skirt 18 and that the equalizing sub 20 may be considered an extension of the outer tubular member 13.

A tubular valve element or valve sleeve 25 is disposed for limited longitudinal movement in the outer tubular member 13 being provided intermediate its ends with an external annular recess 27 in which is disposed a snap ring 28 which extends outwardly of the annular recess 27 and the external wall of the valve element or sleeve 25 to engage an upwardly facing annular shoulder 30 of the connector sub 16 to limit downward movement of the valve element 25 in the outer tubular member 13.

The valve element 25 is also provided with an enlarged lower end 32 which provides an upwardly facing annular seal shoulder 33 which is adapted to engage the annular spouses 3 downwardly and outwardly extending seat surface 35 of the connector sub 16 to limit upward movement of the valve element in the outer tubular member 13. Engagement of the shoulder 33 with the seat surface 35 also prevents flow of fluid therethrough.

The valve element of sleeve is provided with a longitudinal bore 38 which extends through the upper end of the valve element and with a plurality of circumferentially spaced lateral ports '40 adjacent its lower end communicating with the bore 38 adjacent its lower end and with the exterior of the valve element 25. The lower end of the sleeve is closed by the transverse wall 42.

The connector sub 16 is provided with an internal annular recess 48 in which is disposed an O-ring or similar resilient annular sealing member 49 which seals between the connector sub and the valve element to prevent flow of fluids therebetween.

An annular piston member 50 is rigidly connected to the valve element 25, above the upper end of the connector sub 16 and below the lower end of the upper sub 14 of the outer tubular member 13, by means of a split ring 52 disposed in an annular external recess 53 of the valve element which projects outwardly of the annular recess 53 and of the external wall of the valve element. The split ring '52 is received in an annular upwardly opening recess of the piston member 50 which provides an upwardly facing annular stop shoulder 54 which abuts the lower protruding edge of the split ring. A set screw 56 threaded in a suitable bore of the annular piston member 50 extends theret-hrough into an aligned aperture 58 of the split ring to prevent relative movement between the snap ring and the piston member and, therefore between the piston member and the valve element.

The piston member is provided with internal and external annular recesses 60 and 61, respectively, in which are disposed O-rings or seal members 62 and 63 which seal between the piston member and the valve element and between the piston member and the sleeve 15, respectively. The connector sub 16 is provided with a similar external annular recess 65 in which is disposed an 'O-ring or similar annular resilient sealing member 66 which seals between the connector sub and the lower end of the sleeve 15.

In addition, a copper gasket 68 is disposed between the lower end of the sleeve 15 and the upperwardly facing shoulder 89 of the connector sub whereby a fluid and gas tight seal is obtained between the connector sub and the threaded sleeve so that a cylindrical chamber or piston compartment 91 is formed between the piston member '50 and the connector sub 16.

Gas under pressure may be introduced into the piston compartment 91 between the piston member 50 and the connector sub 16 through a transverse port 94 of the connector sub whose outer end communicates with an enlarged threaded bore '95 and with an angularly outwardly extending port 96 which extends from the exterior of the connector sub to the enlarged bore 95. A plug 98 is threaded in the enlarged bore 95 and is provided with a gasket 109 at its inner end which bears against the annular shoulder 110 1 to seal the bore 94 and thus prevent flow or escape of compressed gas from the compartment 91 when the plug 98 is threaded into the enlarged bore 95 and compresses the gasket 100 against the annular shoulder 101.

7 Conversely, when the plug 98 is unscrewed, a com pressed gas under pressure may be introduced through the ports 96 and 94 into the interior of the connector sub and thence upwardly between the outer wall of the valve element and the inner wall of the connector sub to the compartment 91. The snap ring 28 does not, of course, provide a fluid or gas tight seal between the connector sub and the valve element so that it does not impede the flow of gas into or out of the chamber 91 through the ports 94 and 96 of the connector sub.

A resilient spring 1 is disposed in the compartment 91, defined by the upper end of the connector sub 16, the lower end of the piston member 59, the sleeve 15 of the outer tubular member and the valve element 25, and has its upper end bearing against the lower annular surface 1% of the piston member 50 and its lower end bearing against a stop ring 198 which rests on the upper reduced end 17 of the connector sub 16. It will be apparent that the spring biases the valve element upwardly as well as the compressed charge of gas in the compartment 91 below the piston member 50.

The upper end of the tubular valve element 25 telescopes in the upper sub 14. The engagement of the external surface of the valve element and the internal annular wall surface 111 of the upper sub does not constitute a fluid or a gas tight seal, sothat the fluids which may be present in the bore 112 of the outer tubular member and in the bore 38 of the valve element may flow into the annular cylindrical space 113 between the valve element and the sleeve 15 and between the piston member 59 and the lower end of the upper sub 14, whereby the pressure of the fluids flowing through the control device 10 acts upon the piston member 55 to tend to move the piston member, and therefore the valve element, downwardly against the force of the spring 195 and of the pressurized charge of gas in the compartment 91 toward the lower position illustrated in FIGURE 1 when the pressure of the well fluids is communicated to the bore 38 of the valve elements and to the longitudinal bore 112 of the outer tubular member 13 above the piston member 50. This occurs when the wave element 25 is in the lower position illustrated in FIGURES 1 and 2 and the lateral ports 41 thereof are open or when the valve element is in its upper closed position if the lateral port 12% of the equalizer sub 29 is open.

The port 129 of the equalizer sub 20 is normally closed by a valve 121 which engages the annular valve seat 122 of the equalizer sub due to the action of the spring 124. The opposite ends of the spring bear against the annular shoulder 125 of the valve 121 and the annular shoulder 126 of the spring retainer cage 127 threaded in an enlarged bore 128 of the equalizing sub 2%. The flow control device 10 and the equalizing sub are adapted to be positioned or mounted within the flow conductor or well tubing 12 by any suitable means or in any suitable manner but, as illustrated in FIGURE 3, they may be connected to the lower end of the hanger and sealing tool which is adapted to be locked in a landing nipple 136 connected in and constituting a section of the well tubing 12. The landing nipple has an internal annular recess 137 which provides a downwardly and inwardly extending, downwardly facing shoulder 138 and also has a sealing surface 140 positioned below the locking recess 137.

The hanger and sealing tool 135 includes an inner tubular mandrel 142 having an upper neck section 143, an expander section 144 connected to the lower end of the neck section and a seal section 145 connected to the lower end of the expander section 144.

The seal section 145 is provided with an external annular flange 147 which provides an upwardly facing shoulder 143 and a downwardly facing shoulder 149. Any suitable seal assembly 151 may be mounted on the seal section 145 and is held in position against the upwardly facing annular shoulder 148 by the lower annular end surface 153 of the expander section 144 which is threaded on the upper end of the seal section 145. A similar sealing assembly 155 is mounted on the seal section 145 below the flange 147 thereof and is held against the downwardly facing shoulder 149 of the external flange 147 by the upper surface of a retainer nut or ring 156 threaded on the lower end of the seal section. The equalizing sub 20 is threaded on the lower end of the seal section 145 of the tubular member 142 of the hanger and sealing tool 135.

The expander section 14 1 is provided with a downwardly and outwardly extending surface 161 which is arranged to coact with the dogs 161 suspended from a dog carrier sleeve 162 longitudinally slidably mounted on the upper neck section 143 of the tubular mandrel 142. The hanger and sealing tool 135 may be of the type illustrated and described in the patent to H. C. Otis, 2,144,850.

The locking and sealing tool 135 may be lowered through the well tubing to the landing nipple 136 by means of any suitable running tool which holds the dog carrier sleeve 162 in an upper position on the neck section 143 of the inner tubular mandrel 142 so that the dogs 161 are positioned above the expander surface 160 and therefore may pass through the tubing into the landing nipple until the carrier sleeve shoulder 162a engages the upper end of the landing nipple and the bosses 170 of the dog are aligned with the locking recess 137 of the landing nipple.

Upwardly acting forces are then applied to the tubular member 142 of the hanger and sealing tool 135 to cause it to move upwardly relative to the dog carrier sleeve 162 and to the dogs 161 whereby the expander surface 166 engages the internal surfaces 171 of the dogs and cams the dogs outwardly into expanded position in the locking recess of the landing nipple 136. In this position of the han er and sealing tool 135 in the landing nipple, the seal assemblies 151 and 155 engage the seal surface 140 of the landing nipple and thus prevent flow of fluids between the tubular mandrel 142 and the landing nipple 136 so that any upward flow of well fluids through the well tubing 12 may take place only through the lateral ports 49 of the valve element 25 into the bore 38 thereof, thence through the bore 112 of the outer tubular member 13 of the control device to the bore 175 of the equalizing sub 20 and thence through the bore 176 of the inner tubular mandrel 142 of the locking and sealing tool 135.

It will thus be apparent that the flow control device will prevent flow of fluids through the well tubing 12 when its valve element 25 is moved to its upper position wherein the ports 41 are closed due to the engagement of a seal surface 33 and seat surface 35 of the valve element and of the connector sub 16 of the flow control device 10. As will be explained below, flow of well fluids from the well tubing below the hanger and sealing well tool 135 may also take place through the port 120 of the equalizing sub 20 when a suitable tool is inserted through the bore 176 of the tubular member 142 into the bore 175 of the equalizing sub to move the valve 121 outwardly out of engagement with its seat 122 for a purpose to be described below.

When it is desired to control the flow of well fluids through the flow conductor or well tubing 12 to shut off flow whenever the pressure in the well tubing falls below a predetermined value for any reason, for example if excessive flow of well fluids from the flow conductor is permitted by the failure of flow conductors or of the flow control equipment (not shown) at the surface of the well, the flow conductor device 10 is installed in the well tubing below the surface. The flow control device 10 is connected to the lower end of the equalizing sub 20 in the manner illustrated in FIGURE 1 by the threaded connection between the upper sub 14 and the lower reduced end 21 of the equalizing sub 20. The equalizing sub 20 in turn is connected to the lower threaded end of the seal section 145 of the tubular mandrel 142 of the locking and sealing tool 135. The flow control device 10 may then be preset to close to prevent flow of the well fluids through the well tubing 12 whenever the pressure of the well fluid in the well tubing 12 falls below a predetermined value by introducing a predetermined charge of gas under pressure into the chamber 91 through the ports 96 and 94 of the connector sub 17, after which the plug 95 is rotated to seal the port 96. The valve element 25 is then in its upper closed position with the ports 40 closed due to the sealing engagement of the seal surfaces 33 and 35 of the valve element 25 and the outer tubular member 13 of the flow control device. The assembly is then inserted into the conventional lubricator (not shown) which is connected to the upper end of the well tubing 12 in the usual manner.

The valve of the lubricator above the assembly thus introduced thereinto is closed and the valve of the lubricator below the assembly is opened so that the assembled control device may pass downwardly into the well tubing 12, the tubing thus being closed against flow of well fluids from its upper end.

The well fluids may flow upwardly past the exterior of the hanger and sealing tool 135 since the seal assemblies 151 and 155 thereof do not engage the Walls of the tubing 12, and thence through the upper end of the tubular mandrel 142 thereof and the bore 175 of the equalizing sub into the bore 112 of the outer tubular member 13 above the piston member 50. If the pressure of the well fluids is above the predetermined value, such fluids flow between the external and internal surfaces and 111 of the valve element and of the upper sub 14, respectively, to exert their pressure against the upper end of the piston member 50 of the valve element and move the valve element downwardly against the combined forces of the spring and of the charge in the compartment 91. As a result, the valve member moves to the lower open position illustrated in FIGURE 1.

The assembly is then lowered through the well tubing and through the landing nipple 136 thereof until the shoulder 162a of the carrier sleeve engages the upper end of the landing nipple and the bosses 170 of the dogs 161 of the tool are aligned with the annular locking recess 170 of the landing nipple whereupon upward forces are imparted to the tubular mandrel 142 of the hanger and sealing tool 135 to move the tubular mandrel upwardly relative to the dogs to cause the expander member 144 to cam the dogs outwardly whereby the bosses 170 of the dogs move into the locking recess 137 to prevent longitudinal displacement of the hanger and sealing tool in the landing nipple. The control device 10 is therefore locked in the tubing in its open position.

The control device is maintained open by the pressure of the well fluids which act on the upper end of the piston member 50 to maintain the valve element in its lower open position. In the event the pressure of the well fluids in the well tubing drops below the predetermined value due to excessive withdrawal of the well fluids from the upper end of the well tubing, the combined forces of the spring 105 and of the compressed gas charge in the compartment 91 move the valve member 25 upwardly to its closed position wherein the ports 40 are closed so that the fluid below the control device 10 cannot flow upwardly therethrough and through the bore 176 of the locking and seal tool 135. Even should the pressure of the well fluids below the control device 10 now increase above the predetermined value, such increased pressure cannot exert any influence on the piston member 50 of the valve member 25 to again move it downwardly, since the ports 40 are now closed, which prevents communication of the fluid pressure from below the control device into the bore 38 thereof, and since the seal assemblies 151 and 155 of the tool 135 prevent communication of such fluid pressure from below the ll argger and sealing tool 135 to the upper end of the bore If it is desired to again cause the flow control device 10 to open to permit upward flow of the valve fluids therethrough to the surface, a suitable tool may be in serted through the lubricator, in the manner described above, into the tubing and through the bore 176 of the hanger and sealing tool 135 into the equalizing sub 20 to move the valve 121 outwardly against the force exerted by its spring 124 and also against the force exerted by the pressure of the well fluids below the seal members 151 and 155. When the valve 121 is open, the fluid pressure of the well fluids below the locking and sealing tool 135 is again communicated to the chamber 113 above the upper end of the piston member 50 whereby it the fluid pressure is above the predetermined value, the valve element 25 again moves downwardly to the open position illustrated in FIGURE 2. The equalizing valve 121 may then be allowed to close but the valve element 25 will remain in its lower open position for the pressure of the well fluids below the hanger and sealing tool 135 is again communicated to the chamber 113 above the piston member 59 through the lateral ports 49 and the bore 38 of the valve member and the bore 112 of the outer tubular member 13. Of, if desired, extraneous fluid pressure may be introduced into the tubing at the well surface to raise the pressure above the control device to a value in excess of the predetermined pressure at which the valve opens to cause opening of the valve.

In the event that, when the assembly of the locking and seal tool 135, the equalizing sub 'Zil and the flow control device is moved into the lubricator and thence to the well tubing above the landing nipple 136, the pressure of the well fluids in the well tubing is below the predetermined value even after the valves which permit flow of well fluid from the upper end of the well tubing are closed, the valve element remains in its upper closed position in the outer tubular member while the control device is being moved through the well tubing to the landing nipple until the hanger and sealing tool is positioned as illustrated in FIGURE 3 to hold the equalizing sub and the control device 10 in the well tubing.

The well tubing is shut in until the pressure of the well has increased above the predetermined value whereupon a tool is run in, in the manner described above, through the lubricator, the well tubing 12 and the bore 176 of the tubular mandrel 142 of the hanger and sealing tool into the bore 175 of the equalizing sub 2% and is then operated to move the valve 121 outwardly, whereupon the pressure of the well fluids below the sealing assemblies 151 and will be communicated through the bore of the equalizing sub, the bore 112 of the chamber 113 above the upper end of the piston member 50 and will thus force the valve element downwardly against the combined forces of the spring 10 5 and of the char e in the compartment 91. The equalizing valve actuating tool is then removed from the well tubing and the well fluids are permitted to flow out of the well tubing until the pressure of the Well fluids in the well tubing falls below the predetermined value in which case the valve element is again moved upwardly to close the valve tubing to pre vent further flow of well fluids through the well tubing and will remain in its upper closed position until the equalizing valve 121 is again opened after the pressure in the well tubing has again increased above the predetermined value.

It will now be seen that a new and improved flow control device has been illustrated and described which includes an outer tubular member 13; which is positionable in the Well tubing and that sealing means are provided to prevent flow of well fluid past the outer tubular member and the well tubing.

It will further be seen that the outer tubular member 13 is provided with a longitudinally movable valve element 25 which, when it is in its upper position, prevent-s flow of well fluids. through the outer tubular member and which, when it is in its lower position, permits such flow of well fluids through the tubular member 13 and thus through the well tubing past the sealing means.

It will further be seen that the flow control device is provided with means for biasing the valve member toward its upper closed position and that the valve element is movable downwardly to its open position by fluid pressure when sufiicient fluid pressure is admitted into the upper end of the bore 112 of the outer tubular member.

It will further be seen that the outer tubular member and the valve element provide a compartment in which a predetermined charge of gas under pressure may be injected to bias the valve element to its upper closed position whereby the value of the fluid pressure within the tubular member above the valve element neccessary to move the valve element downwardly towards its open position may be selectively predetermined by predetermining the amount of charge injected into the chamber 91.

It will further be seen that the flow control device may be provided with resilient means which also bias the valve element toward its closed position in the tubular member.

It will further be seen that the equalizing sub 20, the outer tubular member 13 and the tubular mandrel 142 of the locking and sealing tool 13-5 constitute a single tubular member which is provided with sealing means for sealing between such tubular member and a well tubing when such tubular member is positioned in a predetermined location'in the well tubing.

It will further be seen that such tubular member is. provided'with a pressure equalizingvalve below the sealing means 151 and 155 thereof so that the pressure of the well fluids in the well tubing below the sea-ling means may be communicated to the upper portion of the bore 112 of the tubular member above the valve element by externally operable means to cause the valve element to again move downwardly to its open position.

It will further be seen that the flow control device 10, once it has closed, may be opened by the insertion of a suitable tool into the well tubing from the surface through the usual lubricator to open the valve 121 after the pressure in the well tubing has again risen above the predetermined value. Or, if desired, sufiicient fluid pressure may be introduced from an extraneous source into the well tubing at the surface to raise the pressure in the tubing above the flow control device to a value in excess of the predetermined pressure at which the valve will open.

The foregoing description of the invention is explanatory only, and changes in the details of the constructions illustrated may be made by those skilled in the art, within the scope of the appended claims, without departing firom the spirit of the invention.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. A well flow control device includin an outer tubular member; a valve member movably mounted in the said tubular member for longitudinal movement therein and having a longitudinal flow passage formed therein; means sealing between said tubular outer member and said valve member, said flow passage of said valve member communicating with the interior of the tubular outer member above and below said seal means; means on said outer tubular member below said seal means and on said valve member below said flow passage engageable upon movement of said valve member longitudinally of said outer member to close off flow of fluids through said valve member; biasing means in said outer member engaging said valve member and biasing said valve member toward such closed position, said valve member having an area thereon exposed to the pressure of fluids flowing through said valve member, said pressure of fluids flowing through said valve member acting on said area of said valve member against said force exerted by said biasing means to move said valve member longitudinally in said outer member to a position opening said passage of said valve member to permit flow therethrough, said area of said valve member being downstream of the valve means whereby when said valve member is in closed position, pressure of fluids upstream of said valve acting on said valve member coacts with said biasing means to hold said valve member in closed position.

2. A well flow control device including: a tubular member; a valve element movably mounted in said tubular member for controlling upward flow of fluids through said tubular member; means in the tubular member biasing said valve element longitudinally upwardly in said tubular member to a closed position in the tubular member Wherein it prevents flow of fluids through the tubular member; means on said tubular member and said valve element engageable to close 01f flow of fluids upwardly through said tubular member; and means on said valve element exposed to and responsive to fluid pressure of the fluids flowing past the tubular valve member and within the tubular member immediately above the valve element for moving the valve element longitudinally downwardly in said tubular member to separate said means on said tubular member and valve element and move said valve element to an open position against the resistance of said biasing means when the fluid pressure acting downwardly on said means on said valve element exposed to and responsive to fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value to permit upward flow of fluids through said tubular member.

3. A well flow control device of the type set forth in claim 2 including: means providing a lateral flow passage from the exterior to the interior of said tubular member above said longitudinally movable valve element; and valve means for said lateral flow passage normally biased to a closed position for preventing flow of fluids from the exterior to the interior of the tubular member, said valve means having a portion thereof exposed in the bore of said tubular member whereby said valve means may be moved to open said flow passage by means of an externally operable means insertable into said tubular mem her to engage said exposed portion of said valve means.

4. A well flow control device of the character set forth in claim 2, including: hanger and sealing means on said tubular member for holding said tubular member in a predetermined position in a well flow conductor and for sealing between the tubular member and the Well flow conductor whereby flow of fluids in the well conductor are directed through such tubular member.

5. A well flow control device including: a tubular member; a valve element movably mounted in said tubular member for controlling upward flow of fluids through said tubular member; said valve element having a longitudinal flow passage formed therein; means on said tubular member and said valve element engageable to close ofl flow of fluid through said tubular member and through said valve element when said means are engaged; means in the tubular member biasing said valve element upwardly to an upper position in the tubular member wherein said means on said tubular member and said valve element are engaged to prevent flow of fluids through the tubular member; and upwardly facing surface means on said valve element exposed to and responsive to fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly past said valve element within the tubular member immediately above the valve element for moving the valve element downwardly to an open position against the resistance of said biasing means when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, such downward movement of the valve element separating said means on said valve element and said tubular member to permit upward flow through said flow passage of said valve element and through said tubular member; said tubular member being provided with seal means for sealing between said tubular member and a flow conductor in which said control device is adapted to be located to control flow of fluids therethrough.

6. A well flow control device of the type set forth in claim 5 including: means providing a lateral flow passage from the exterior to the interior of said tubular member above said longitudinally movable valve element; and valve means for said lateral flow passage normally biased to a closed position for preventing flow of fluids from the exterior to the interior of the tubular member, said valve means having a portion thereof exposed in the bore of 10 said tubular member whereby said valve means may be moved to open said flow passage by means of an externally operable means insertable into said tubular member to engage said exposed portion of said valve means.

7. A well fluid control device including: a tubular member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage therein moveably mounted in said tubular member for controlling upward flow of fluid through said tubular member; means on said tubular member and said valve element engageable to close off flow of fluids through said tubular member and said flow passage of said valve element; means in the tubular member biasing said valve element upwardly to an upper position in the tubular member wherein said means on said tubular member and said valve element are engaged to prevent flow of fluids through the tubular member; and upwardly facing surface means on said valve element exposed to and responsive to fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly past said valve element within the tubular member immediately above the valve element for moving the valve element downwardly to an open position against the resistance of said biasing means when said fluid pressure above said valve element exceeds a predetermined value to permit upward flow of fluid through said tubular member, such downward movement of said valve element separating said means on said tubular member and said valve element to open the same to flow therethrough; said flow passage of Said valve element comprising a longitudinal upward opening bore and a lateral port adjacent the lower end of said bore, said port being closed against flow of well fluids upwardly therethrough into the flow passage of the valve element when the valve element is in its upper position in the tubular member and said means on said tubular member and said valve element are engaged.

8. A well flow control device of the type set forth in claim 7 including: means providing a lateral flow passage from the exterior to the interior of Said tubular member above said longitudinally movable valve element; and valve means for said lateral flow passage normally biased to a closed position for preventing flow of fluids from the exterior to the interior of the tubular member, said valve means having a portion thereof exposed in the bore of said tubular member whereby said valve means may be moved to open said flow passage by means of an externally operable means insertable into said tubular member to engage said exposed portion of said valve means.

9. A well flow control device including: a tubular member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage therein providing for flow of fluids therethrough and movably mounted in said tubular member for controlling upward flow of fluid through said tubular member; closure means on said tubular member and said valve element coengageable to close off flow through said flow passage and said tubular member; means in the tubular member biasing said valve element upwardly to an upper position in the tubular member wherein said valve closure means are engaged to prevent flow of fluids upwardly through the tubular member; and upwardly facing surface means on said valve element exposed to and responsive to fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly past said valve element within the tubular member immediately above and downstream of the Valve element for moving the valve element downwardly to an open position separating said valve closure means against the resistance of said baising means when said fluid pressure above said valve element exceeds a predetermined value to permit upward flow of fluids through said tubular member, said tubular member being provided with seal means for sealing between said tubular member and a flow conductor in which said control device is adapted to be located to control flow of fluids therethrough, said longitudinal flow passage of said valve element comprising a longitudinal upward opening bore and a lateral port adjacent the lower end of said bore, said'closure means being engaged to close off said flow passage against flow of well fluids'upwardly therethrough into the flow passage of the valve element when the valve element is in its upper position in the tubular member.

10. A well flow control device of the type set forth in claim 9 including: means providing a lateral flow passage from the exterior to the interior of said tubular member above said longitudinally movable valve element; and valve means for said lateral flow passage normally biased to a closed position for preventing flow of fluids from the exterior to the interior of the tubular member, said valve means having a portion thereof exposed in the bore of said tubular member whereby said valve means may be moved to open said flow passage by means of an externally operable means insertable into said tubular member to engage said exposed portion of said valve means.

11. A well tool for a well flow conductor including: an elongate outer member having a longitudinal bore therein; hanger and sealing means on said outer member for holding the outer member in a predetermined position in a well flow conductor and for sealing between the outer member and the well flow conductor whereby flow of fluids in the well conductor may occur only through such bore of the outer member; a valve element for controlling upward flow of fluids through said well tool, said valve element having a "longitudinal flow passage therethrough and being mounted in said bore of the outer member for limited longitudinal movement between an upper closed position and a lower open position, said valve element and said outer member having valve closure means thereon engageable when said valve element is in the upper position in said outer member for closing said flow passage of said valve element and disengaged when said valve element is in said lower position in said outer member to permit upward flow of fluids through the Well tool, said valve element having an upwardly facing surface thereon exposed to and responsive to fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly through said valve element within the outer member immediately above said valve element and acting on said upwardly facing surface, said valve element being moved downwardly to open position when said fluid within said outer member above said valve element increases above a predetermined value, said valve element being movable upwardly to said closed position when the fluid pressure within the outer member immediately above said valve element acting on said upwardly facing surface thereon decreases below a predetermined value; and means in said outer member biasing said valve element longitudinally upwardly therein to said closed position when said fluid pressure acting on said upwardly facing surface decreases below said predetermined value.

12. A well tool of the character set forth in claim 11 wherein said valve closure means comprises an upwardly facing seat surface on said valve element below said flow passage and a downwardly facing seat surface on said outer member.

13. A well 1001 of the character set forth in claim 11 wherein said outer member is provided with a seal means for sealing between said outer member and a flow conductor in which said control device is adapted to be located to direct the flow of fluids through said well tool.

14. A well flow control device including: a tubular member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage therein movably mounted in said tubular member; valve closure means on said tubular member and said valve element coengageable to close off the flow of fluids upwardly through said tubular member and said flow passage of said valve element; means in the tubular member biasing said valve element upwardly to an upper position in the tubular member wherein said valve closure means are engaged to prevent flow of fluids through the tubular member; and upwardly facing surface means on said valve element exposed to and responsive to fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly through the flow passage of the valve element within the tubular member immediately above the valve element for moving the valve element downwardly to an open position against the resistance of said biasing means when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, such downward movement of the valve element separating said valve closure means on said Valve element and said tubular member to permit flow of fluids upwardly through the tubular member and said valve element.

'15. A well tool for a well flow conductor including: an elongate outer member having a longitudinal bore therein; hanger and sealing means on said outer member for holding the outer member in a predetermined position in a well flow conductor and for sealing between the outer member and the well flow conductor whereby flow of fluids in the well conductor may occur only through such bore of the outer member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage mounted in said bore of the outer member for limited longitudinal movement between a first closed position and a second open position, said valve element and said outer member having valve closure means thereon engaged when said valve element is in said first position for closing said flow passage of said valve element and separated to permit flow through said valve element and said outer member when said valve element is in its second position to permit upward flow of fluids through the well tool, said valve element having upwardly facing surface means exposed .to and responsive to fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly through 'the flow passage of the valve element within the outer member immedia-tely above the valve element for moving said valve element to said second position when the fluid pressure acting on said upwardly facing surface of said valve element exceeds a predetermined value; and means in said outer member biasing said valve element longitudinally therein to said first position closing said flow passage of said valve element when the fluid pressure acting on said upwardly facing surface of said valve element decreases below said predetermined value.

16. A well tool for a well flow conductor including: an elongate outer member having a longitudinal bore therein; hanger and sealing means on said outer member for holding the outer member in a predetermined position in a well flow conductor and for sealing between the outer member and the well flow conductor whereby flow of fluids in the well conductor may occur only through such bore of the outer member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage and a lateral passage communicating with said longitudinal flow passage and the exterior of said valve element, said valve element being mounted in said bore of the outer member for limited longitudinal movement between a first position and a second open position, said valve element and said outer member having closure members thereon engaged when said valve element is in said first position for closing said lateral flow passage of said valve element to prevent flow of fluids upwardly through said outer member and said flow passages of said valve element, said closure members of said valve element and said outer member being disengaged when said valve element is in its second position to permit upward flow of fluids through the well tool, said valve element having upwardly facing surface means exposed to and responsive to the fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly through the valve element within said outer member immediately above said valve element for moving said valve element to said second open position when the fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, said valve element and said outer member having external and internal flanges, respectively, and seal members on said flanges sealing between said flanges and the valve element and said outer member, respectively, said flanges and seal members defining a fluid tight chamber between said outer member and 13 said valve member for receiving a predetermined charge of compressible gas, said charge biasing said valve element toward its second position.

17. A well tool for a well flow conductor including: an elongate outer member having a longitudinal bore therein; hanger and sealing means on said outer member for holding the outer member in a predetermined position in a well flow conductor and for sealing between the outer member and the well flow conductor whereby flow of fluids in the well conductor may occur only through such bore of the outer member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage and a lateral passage communicating with said longitudinal flow passage and the exterior of said valve element, said valve element being mounted in said bore of the outer member for limited longitudinal movement between a first position and a second open position, said valve element and said outer member having closure members thereon engaged when said valve element is in said first position for closing said lateral flow passage of said valve element to prevent flow of fluids upwardly through said outer member and said flow passages of said valve element, said closure members of said valve element and said outer member being disengaged when said valve element is in its second position to permit upward flow of fluids through the well tool, said valve element and said outer memher having external and internal flanges, respectively, and seal members on said flanges sealing between said flanges and the valve element and said outer member, respectively, said flanges and seal members defining a fluid tight chamber between said outer member and said valve element for receiving a predetermined charge of compressible gas, said charge biasing said valve element toward its second position, said external flange of said valve ele ment being exposed to the pressure of the fluids flowing through said flow passage of said valve element within said outer member and present therein immediately above said valve element whereby the pressure of said well fluids moves said valve element to its second position when the pressure of said well fluids present in said outer member above said valve element rises above a predetermined value.

18. A well tool of the character set forth in claim 17 wherein said outer member has means providing a flow port communicating between the exterior and the interior of said outer member below said hanger and sealing means whereby well fluids from below said well tool may flow through said port into said outer member above said valve element; and valve means in said flow passage in said port biased to closed position therein for preventing flow of fluids inwardly through said port into said outer member, said valve means having means thereon projecting into the bore of said outer member and exposed therein for engagement by means insertable into said outer member for moving said valve means to its open position to permit flow of fluids inwardly through said port.

19. A well tool of the character set forth in claim 17 including an injection port means in the wall of said tubular member providing communication between the exterior thereof and the chamber defined therein between the flanges and said tubular member and said valve element whereby gas may be injected under pressure into said chamber to bias said valve element upwardly to its closed position, and means closing said injection port means for sealing such gas in said chamber.

20. A well tool for a well flow conductor including: an elongate outer member having a longitudinal bore therein; hanger and sealing means on said outer member for holding the outer member in a predetermined position in a well flow conductor and for sealing between the outer member and the well flow conductor whereby flow of fluids in the well conductor may occur only through such bore of the outer member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage and a lateral passage communicating with said longitudinal flow passage of the exterior of said valve element, said valve element being moune'd in said bore of the outer member for limited longitudinal movement between an upper closed position and a lower open position, closure means on said outer member and on said valve element below said longitudinal flow passage, said closure means being engaged for closing said flow passage of said valve element when said valve element is in its upper closed position to prevent flow of fluids through said outer member and said valve element, said closure means being separated to permit upward flow of fluids through said flow passages of said valve element and said outer member when said valve element is in its lower open position to permit upward flow of well fluids through the well tool, said valve element having an upwardly facing surface thereon exposed to and responsive to the fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly through the flow passage of said valve element and present in said outer member immediately above said valve element whereby said valve element moves to its lower open position when said fluid pressure exceeds a predetermined value, said valve element and said outer member having external and internal flanges, respectively, and seal members on said flanges sealing between said flanges and the valve element and said outer member, respectively, such flanges and seal members defining a fluid tight chamber therebetween for receiving a predetermined charge of compressible gas, said charge biasing said valve element upwardly toward its closed position.

21. A well tool for a well flow conductor including: an elongate outer member having a longitudinal bore therein; hanger and sealing means on said outer member for holding the outer member in a predetermined position in a well flow conductor and for sealing between the outer member and the well flow conductor whereby flow of fluids in the well conductor may occur only through such bore of the outer member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage and a lateral flow passage communicating with said longitudinal flow passage and the exterior of said valve element, said valve element being mounted in said bore of the outer member for limited longitudinal movement between an upper closed position and a lower open position, said valve element and said outer member having closure means thereon engaged for closing said flow passage of said valve element when said valve element is in its upper closed position to prevent flow of fluids upwardly through said valve element and said outer member, said closure means being separated when said valve element is moved downwardly to its lower open position to permit upward flow of fluids through the well tool, said valve element and said outer member having external and internal flanges, respectively, and seal members on said flanges sealing between said flanges and the valve element and said outer member, respectively, said flanges and seal members defining a fluid tight chamber therebetween for receiving a predetermined charge of compressible gas, said charge biasing said valve element upwardly toward its closed position, said external flange of said valve element being exposed to the pressure of the fluids flowing through the flow passage of said valve element and said outer member and present therein immediately above said valve element whereby the pressure of said well fluids moves said valve element to its lower open position when such pressure of said well fluids present in said outer member above said valve member rises above a predetermined value.

22. A well tool for a well flow conductor including: an elongate outer member having a longitudinal bore therein; hanger and sealing means on said outer mem ber for holding the outer member in a predetermined position in a well flow conductor and for sealing between the outer member and the Well flow conductor whereby flow of fluids in the well conductor may occur only through such bore of the outer member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage and a lateral flow passage communicating with said longitudinal fiow passage and the exterior of said valve element, said valve element being mounted in said bore of the outer member for limited longitudinal movement between an upper closed position and a lower open position, said valve element and said outer member having closure means thereon engaged for closing said flow passage of said valve element when said valve element is in its upper closed position to prevent flow of fluids upwardly through said valve element and said outer member, said closure means being separated when said valve element is moved downwardly to its lower open position to permit upward flow of fluids through the well tool, said valve element and said outer member having external and internal flanges, respectively, and seal members on said flanges sealing between said flanges and the valve element and said outer member, respectively, said flanges and seal members defining a fluid tight chamber therebetween for receiving a predetermined charge of compressible gas, said charge biasing said valve element upwardly toward its closed position, said external flange of said valve element being exposed to the pressure oi the fluids flowing through the flow passage of said valve element within said outer member and present therein immediately above said valve element whereby the pressure of said well fluids moves said valve element to its lower open position when such pressure of said well fluids present in said outer member above said valve member rises above a predetermined value, said external flange being shut off from the pressure of the well fluids below said well tool by the engagement of said closure members on said valve element and said outer member when said valve element has moved to its upper position.

23. A well flow control device including: a tubular member; a valve element having a longitudinal flow passage therein and movably mounted in said tubular memer; means in the tubular member biasing said valve element upwardly to an upper position in the tubular member; and upwardly facing surface means on said valve element exposed to and responsive to fluid pressure of fluids flowing upwardly through the flow passage of said valve element and present within the tubular member above the valve element for moving the valve element downwardly against the resistance of said biasing means to permit upward flow of fluid through said control device when the fluid pressure present in said tubular member immediately above the valve element exceeds a predetermined value, said movable valve element having valve seat means thereon adjacent the lower end of said flow passage; and means on said outer member engageable with said valve seat means adjacent the lower end of said movable valve element to close said flow passage upon movement of said valve element to its upper position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,144,850 Otis Jan. 24, 1939 2,187,635 Stamps Jan. 16, 1940 2,509,839 Panner May 30, 1950 2,592,325 Utis et a l Apr. 8 1952 2,644,481 Perlman July 7, 1953 2,940,470 Morgan June 14, 1960 2,963,089 Sizer Dec. 6 1960 FOREIGN PATENTS 774,785 Great Britain May 15, 1957 

1. A WELL FLOW CONTROL DEVICE INCLUDING: AN OUTER TUBULAR MEMBER; A VALVE MEMBER MOVABLY MOUNTED IN THE SAID TUBULAR MEMBER FOR LONGITUDINAL MOVEMENT THEREIN AND HAVING A LONGITUDINAL FLOW PASSAGE FORMED THEREIN; MEANS SEALING BETWEEN SAID TUBULAR OUTER MEMBER AND SAID VALVE MEMBER, SAID FLOW PASSAGE OF SAID VALVE MEMBER COMMUNICATING WITH THE INTERIOR OF THE TUBULAR OUTER MEMBER ABOVE AND BELOW SAID SEAL MEANS; MEANS ON SAID OUTER TUBULAR MEMBER BELOW SAID SEAL MEANS AND ON SAID VALVE MEMBER BELOW SAID FLOW PASSAGE ENGAGEABLE UPON MOVEMENT OF SAID VALVE MEMBER LONGITUDINALLY OF SAID OUTER MEMBER TO CLOSE OFF FLOW OF FLUIDS THROUGH SAID VALVE MEMBER; BIASING MEANS IN SAID OUTER MEMBER ENGAGING SAID VALVE MEMBER AND BIASING SAID VALVE MEMBER TOWARD SUCH CLOSED POSITION, SAID VALVE MEMBER HAVING AN AREA THEREON EXPOSED TO THE PRESSURE OF FLUIDS FLOWING THROUGH SAID VALVE MEMBER, SAID PRESSURE OF FLUIDS FLOWING THROUGH SAID VALVE MEMBER ACTING ON SAID AREA OF SAID VALVE MEMBER AGAINST SAID FORCE EXERTED BY SAID BIASING MEANS TO MOVE SAID VALVE MEMBER LONGITUDINALLY IN SAID OUTER MEMBER TO A POSITION OPENING SAID PASSAGE OF SAID VALVE MEMBER TO PERMIT FLOW THERETHROUGH, SAID AREA OF SAID VALVE MEMBER BEING DOWNSTREAM OF THE VALVE MEANS WHEREBY WHEN SAID VALVE MEMBER IS IN CLOSED POSITION, PRESSURE OF FLUIDS UPSTREAM OF SAID VALVE ACTING ON SAID VALVE MEMBER COACTS WITH SAID BIASING MEANS TO HOLD SAID VALVE MEMBER IN CLOSED POSITION. 